Optimising production systems for organic pig production (OF0169)

This is the final report of Defra project OF0169. There is a more comprehensive Executive Summary at the start of the attached main report. The overall objective of this project was to generate the scientific and financial information necessary to facilitate increased production of pigmeat on existing organic farms, and the conversion of conventional farms to this organic production. Information was collected through a series of experiments focusing on the effects of genotype, management and nutrition. The study was conducted on commercial organic pig farms, supported by literature searches, financial appraisal, and survey data collection. Organic production standards favour traditional breeds of livestock in preference to ‘improved’ genotypes, which may be less suited to the more extensive production systems. An experiment was carried out to compare performance, health and welfare of three different genotypes managed organically. These genotypes were chosen to represent different breeding strategies - British Saddleback (S), a pure-bred, traditional genotype; PIC Camborough 12 (C12), an improved modern genotype; and Saddleback x Duroc (SD) sow, suitable for ‘criss-cross breeding’ system by smaller organic farms. The modern improved genotypes of sows produced higher litter sizes than their more traditional counterparts, although the numbers of pigs weaned were similar across the genotypes studied. The results indicated that all three breeding strategies can be successfully adopted in organic production systems, and that choice of sow breed should depend on the ability of the farm to manage prolific sows, the implications for slaughter pig performance, and market requirements. A factorially designed experiment was carried out to investigate the effects on performance and carcass quality of three different genotypes of growing pig, three feeding systems and two housing systems. Overall, there were few significant treatment effects on product quality. In a further experiment, the herbage intake of growing pigs maintained at pasture was quantified. The results showed that, when offered a cereal- based concentrate ad libitum, the herbage intake of growing pigs from a good quality grass/clover sward contributed <5% to daily organic matter consumption. In these circumstances, modification of concentrate composition would not be appropriate. To facilitate efficient feed use in organic pig production, a ‘Feed Handbook’ (publication C3) was compiled, printed and made available to UK organic farmers. The effect of paddock management on the ranging behaviour of sows was also studied in a two by three factorial design, involving three sow genotypes. Two commercially applicable paddock management strategies were established: a) ‘Rotational’ (R) where a group of up to 6 sows was relocated to clean ground every four months, and b) ‘Set stocked’ (SS) where a group of up to 6 sows was relocated to clean ground every twelve months. Results suggest that during wet periods, the R paddocks may be advantageous as the pigs are moved off damaged pasture, whereas in drier periods, the SS paddocks maintain grass cover for longer than R and therefore incur less labour for moving without significant pollution risk. Pigs in the SS paddocks do use the further portions of the field, but this may require management manipulations to achieve satisfactory grass usage and distribution of excreted nutrients. In a survey conducted between August 1999 and April 2002 on the commercial organic farms, the main welfare issues reported related to keeping stock clean and dry in periods of high rainfall, managing Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome and Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PDNS/PMWS) within their herd, and recruiting and retaining good quality personnel. Mange and lice were the highest-ranking current health concerns, and post-mortem reports of endo-parasitism was the highest-ranking historical health concern. Two of the five farms surveyed reported problems with scouring in young pigs probably due to Coccidia, which may pose a significant risk in organic systems. Data collected on physical performance, capital investment and operating costs were used to establish bench-mark production levels for organic pig herds, the cashflow implications of establishing an organic pig herd, profitability, and sensitivity to movements in productivity, costs and prices. This showed the potential for profitability, which was vulnerable to price fluctuations. Information was disseminated widely through farmer conferences and talks at national conferences, scientific papers, conference proceedings, technical and press reports

Kinship

Sister Friends When good friends come together they are bound to share limitless experiences of sharing and boundaries. They will always be there for each other and the closer they become the stronger the bond between them. Long standing friends share their dreams, aspirations and life experiences and their friendship lead to a circle of deep bond which in itself can be compared to that of family. Women friends are always there where no one else listens, when darkness falls and hearts are broken due to lost love or abusive relationships. A friend will never desert her other self and would be ready to sacrifice for her other. This forms a sense of kinship between the two souls and no other bond can be compared with. When it is weaved on love and purity no diamond, no crystal can be compared to it. True bondage and sharing from deep within is the highest form of love

A One-Session, Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workshop for Chronic Pain Patients: A One-Sample Pretest-Posttest Prospective Exploratory Study

Chronic pain affects one in every four persons (NIH, 2010). For individuals residing in rural communities where chronic pain treatment is often not accessible (Artnak et al., 2011), a one-session brief mental health intervention is a critical healthcare need. More specifically, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain is a novel treatment approach in need of more research (Society of Clinical Psychology, 2016). This current study contributes to the gap in the literature by implementing an ACT workshop in a rural healthcare setting for individuals with chronic pain. It was hypothesized that the workshop would increase adaptive coping mechanisms such as total pain acceptance, activity engagement, and pain willingness. Additionally, it was hypothesized that the workshop would decrease pain catastrophizing post-workshop. Nineteen participants completed pre- and four-week post-workshop questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that those who attended the workshop reported higher total pain acceptance and pain willingness as measured by the CPAQ-R (McCracken et al., 2004). There were no significant results for pain catastrophizing and activity engagement. A majority of the participants who attended the workshop and completed the follow-up questionnaires reported satisfaction with the group and would refer their family and friends to a similar workshop. Future recommendations are aimed at increasing intervention repertoire and providing insight on group composition and workshop layout

A College Woman\u27s Guide to Self-Discovery

College students often ask big questions: Where do I fit in? What gives my life meaning? How can I make a difference? And where do I begin? Women at this age are on a journey of self-discovery, exploring these and other complex, life-changing issues that don\u27t have easy answers. For this master\u27s project, I created a prototype of a book for college women and recent graduates who are on a journey toward authentic living. It is about helping them identify their unique strengths, values, and abilities; discover and harness their passions; and develop a creative mindset that will help them navigate the unfamiliar, yet exciting places their lives may lead. While it does not offer answers to life\u27s big questions, it does provide thought-provoking essays, journaling prompts, and creative exercises to help them explore these questions on their own. It does so from a uniquely female perspective, with stories and advice from women who have passed this way before them

Nutrition Education and Counseling (NUTR 420) City as Classroom Project Report

Nutrition Education and Counseling (Nutrition 420) is a senior-level nutrition course for students to develop and demonstrate counseling skills, education methods, and communication strategies for effective health behavior change. As part of the City and Region initiative, the course focused on cultural diversity and health disparities in a senior population of Philadelphia. Students conducted nutrition counseling and education sessions with seniors who were of Asian, African, and Eastern European decent at the Nationalities Senior Center in Philadelphia. The instructor divided the class into groups of three and used a public-health approach from Senior and Cultural Food Pyramid Models to provide education on hydration, fruits and vegetables, protein/Vitamin B12, fiber, Vitamin D, and exercise/movement. Students constructed stations that highlighted each topic in pictures and illustrations because many of the clients were non-English-speaking or spoke English as a second language. Each student met one-on-one with a senior while the group observed the interaction. A translator helped with some clients which was a unique challenge in communication. The instructor observed each students’ skill and helped the counseling process as needed. Students used cultural food pyramids in clients’ native languages to supplement nutrition education. A food station demonstrated cultural foods with nutrient content pertaining to counseling topics and provided Clementine oranges as a thank you to participating seniors

Mapping The Toronto Theatre Blogosphere

From online reviews, to live tweeting during a performance, to “liking” a production on Facebook, the blogosphere is transforming how we talk about theatre. Theatre criticism in the digital world is now a “team sport,” where audience members and artists play alongside professional critics (Fricker 49). This shift holds much potential: online critical discourse can help us develop a more diverse and inclusive picture of theatre reception and theatre-going cultures than print reviews, and expand the historical documentation of performance, which, as a vanishing art form, leaves very few traces of itself. However, the limited research in this area has yet to fully understand the role of the blogosphere in theatre ecology or how to archive the criticism found there (Collins ; Poll ; Radosavljevic). “Mapping the Toronto Theatre Blogosphere” is a new research project bringing together Dramatic Art and Computer Science students. It attempts to answer two key questions: how is the blogosphere changing how we talk about theatre, and how can we preserve the critical discourse occurring there? To answer the first question, we tracked and archived the online critical response (blog reviews, online publications, tweets, and Facebook posts) to a representative sample from the fall 2016 Toronto theatre season. Our resulting dataset was examined using a content analysis approach in order to identify which productions generated the most critical response (posts) online, the demographics of the posters (including age, gender, occupation, and ethnicity), and the purpose of the posts (including commentary on the production, socio-political commentary, endorsements, and check-ins). To answer the second question, our CS team member is developing an open-access website to archive the materials collected, which the public will be invited to use and contribute to once it is launched. Our preliminary findings suggest that the blogosphere is changing how we talk about theatre in three key ways: it is providing more coverage to new plays and plays about political or controversial subject matter; it is increasing and diversifying the participants in critical discourse, allowing women and people of colour more access into the conversations; and it is connecting discussions about theatre to other topics such as political issues and identity. Our UWill Discover presentation will summarize our findings about the Toronto theatre blogosphere and include an interactive demonstration of our database

REGULATION OF THE POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF NOTARIES REGARDING THE SUPERVISION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPITAL MARKET INDUSTRY IN INDONESIA

This study was conducted to examine and analyze the regulation of the authority, position, duties and responsibilities of a Notary and Supervision of the Financial Services Authority. To review and analyze the implementation of regulations on the authority, position, duties and responsibilities of a Notary Public and Supervision of the Financial Services Authority. To review and analyze efforts to regulate the authority, position, duties and responsibilities of a Notary and Supervision of the Financial Services Authority in the development of the capital market industry in Indonesia. This research is a normative juridical research, namely research that is focused on examining the application of rules or norms in positive law by using a legislative potivist conceptional approach, which views that law is identical to written norms that are made and promulgated by institutions or officials who authorities and views the law as a normative system that is autonomous, closed and detached from people's lives. This study describes the facts and data regarding the duties and responsibilities of one of the supporting institutions, namely the Notary before and after the Limited Liability Company listing in the capital market. The results of the study show that the role of a notary in the capital market is a necessity to serve the investment community in fulfilling the mechanism in the capital market. Notaries are public officials authorized to make authentic deeds and are registered with the Financial Services Authority (OJK)

Transformation in Service Delivery for Older Adults: Policy Strategies and the Role of the Community

This session will address key developments occurring at the national level as policymakers in Congress and the executive branch work to develop and refine models of value-based care delivery for rapidly-growing numbers of Medicare beneficiaries with complex chronic conditions. Montgomery will present the conceptual design, and the evidence that supports it, for a model of integrative care that spans medical care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) for a vulnerable population of frail older adults. This model, MediCaring Communities, is well-positioned to be piloted by willing communities across the country. Montgomery also will explore the existing Medicare financing platforms that can be adapted and the frameworks for estimating costs and savings. The role of community advocates and activists in influencing and shaping policy discussions and developments at various levels of government will also be discussed, highlighting the role of family caregivers